Howard boosts recruiting with positive attitude

Euphoria didn't last long for Illinois assistant basketball coach Jerrance Howard after he landed the job in September.

John Supinie

Euphoria didn't last long for Illinois assistant basketball coach Jerrance Howard after he landed the job in September.

A rookie recruiter and full-time assistant, the 27-year-old former Illini guard and Peoria Central star heard the critics who said it was a bad move when coach Bruce Weber plucked him from the basketball operations office in Kentucky. Even optimistic Howard wondered if he was ready.

"All the time,'' admitted Howard. "Especially that first week. Pressure isn't the word. I was actually scared. I went through a stage of, 'Yes, I got the job.' When I got here, it was, 'Man, I don't know if I can make this happen.'

"I felt like I was going to be letting the whole Illini Nation down and coach Weber down. I was getting e-mails and reading the Internet. Some people said it was the most stupid hire in Illinois history. I'm human. I've got feelings. That hurt.''

Howard's mother, brother, friends, even a pastor boosted his confidence, he said. A month later, Illinois hit recruiting gold, and Howard had peace of mind.

They join Waukegan sophomore forward Jereme Richmond, who committed as a freshman. Just how much Howard played in those recent commitments is difficult to say from the outside. While Howard will be the first to tell you that he's not carrying the weight of Illini recruiting on his back, it's also apparent Howard's ability to build social networks and his bubbly personality will only benefit Illinois recruiting.

"Jerrance is good,'' Weber said. "He has high energy. He likes to get out and mingle. He's really good on the phone. He loves to be on the phone.''

In the competitive world that's even shocked Howard with its nastiness, he will try to make a name for himself and the Illini with honesty, sincerity and networking. He does it under his former college coach (an easy sell for Howard). Illini assistant Wayne McClain, whom Howard met when he was 6, is a long-time mentor.

Before his playing career ended at Illinois in the 2003-04 season, Howard began collecting phone numbers, contacts and ideas. Larry Butler, his AAU coach, is influential in the Chicago recruiting scene.

Howard learned to build a network of sources on each potential recruit, from the parents to the AAU coach to the high school personnel. He first noticed the approach when he was recruited by former Illini assistant Rob Judson.

"I meet the principal, the counselor and the janitor,'' Howard said. "You reach out to everybody, then those people can recruit that kid when you're not even there. That's my main focus in recruiting, always thinking of a way to separate myself from every other university.''

Howard will "establish the personal relationship and go from there,'' he said.

McClain first drove Howard through Chicago on an early tour in September, introducing him to a handful of Chicago prep coaches and connections.

"I've known coach McClain since I was 6,'' Howard said. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for him.''

Howard's best career move may have been not making a move. As a player, he was a reserve first behind Frank Williams, then Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Head, the three amigos that carried the Illini to back-to-back Big Ten titles and a runner-up finish in the NCAA tournament in 2005. Howard resisted when he heard the advice to transfer.

In fact, Howard helped Deron Williams decide to stay at Illinois, Williams said, after former coach Bill Self left for Kansas.

"He told me he thought (Illinois) was the right place for me,'' Williams said. "It made me feel good. He was our best recruiter when we were there. He was making guys feel comfortable. Even their parents, he could talk to them. He'll do a great job at getting the players they've had a difficulty in getting.''

Head's brother, Crandall, is considered a future star, even a more freakish athlete than Luther with skills more advanced than his older brother at this age. Brown is still a fan favorite who can help sway a recruit with one call. Williams made an impact by introducing Howard to William Wesley.

Known as Worldwide Wes, Wesley is widely regarded as one of the most powerful men in sports. According to a story in GQ, Wesley was spotted hugging Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after a Super Bowl win, high-fiving Miami players following a national championship victory and sitting with Jay-Z at the NBA All-Star game.

He's tight with Nike mogul Phil Knight and the Clintons, Bill and Hillary. A relationship with Michael Jordan in the 1990s led Wesley to a maze of movers and shakers -- from LeBron James to AAU programs that ship players to college programs, from agents to shoe companies, from coaches to franchise owners.

Now, Howard speaks regularly with Wesley, whom he calls Uncle Wes.

"He gives Deron and me advice,'' Howard said. "He's seen a lot of situations and knows a lot of people. When you're connected with a guy like that, your networking base just gets bigger.''

So do the chances of landing prime-time talent. Memphis coach John Calipari told GQ that Wesley is a "goodwill ambassador to our program.'' Wesley apparently played a role in Memphis landing Chicago Simeon point guard Derrick Rose. Illinois, like any program, could use a few ambassadors.

"You never know where they might say, 'Illinois is a good school,' '' Weber said. "Sometimes just somebody saying that might get you over the hump.''

Like Worldwide Wes, Howard has an ability to make friends easily. Regular talks with Bill Richmond, Jereme's father, stray far from basketball.

"He connects very well with people,'' Richmond said. "I don't think it’s just the basketball part of it. If you follow Jerrance, he connects with all sorts of people. I didn't know him from outside of basketball. We've never done the hang-out thing.

"I can't imagine him being any different. He's genuine. Any time somebody has a positive attitude, it has to make you feel comfortable.''

Howard works the current players like he does the recruits. He'll text message them and drop by the apartment complex, checking on them and showing the Illini attention. In practice, he spends most of his time with the guards. Like the rest of the staff, Howard must prepare scouting reports. His first one came in Maui against Oklahoma State. Before he presented it to the Illini, Howard went over it one more time with his wife, Jessica, on the court.

"I wanted to walk through it,'' he said. "She was running dummy offense.''

Howard doesn't let past difficulties by the Illini get in his way. He's building his own networks, doing so "without a leash'' from Weber, Howard said.

"He's going into it open-minded,'' Weber said. "He's young enough and got a lot of great energy and can talk.''

A month after landing the job, Howard played a part in landing Richardson, the first recruit that started the domino effect. While McClain had a long-standing relationship with Richardson's family, Howard finished it off, helping land the player from his alma mater.

"Those are kids we worked for a long time,'' said Weber. "He helped get (Richardson) over the hump, which now snowballs to other guys.''

Howard's first days began with concern before Illinois' big recruiting haul this fall, then he found confidence in recruiting victory.

"Elite players want to play with other elite players,'' Howard said. "Did I have a role? Yes. We all did. I can't take all the credit for that. When I came, I really put the icing on the cake.''

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.

Illinois' commitment list

Stan Simpson, Sr., F, 6-9, Chicago Simeon

A transfer from Chicago Leo during the summer, Simpson took a step toward the next level at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament by finishing with 24 points, five rebounds and four blocks in a game against Bloomington. He recently had 17 points in a win over Chicago Carver and posted 22 points in a victory against Morgan Park.

Joseph Bertrand, Jr., G, 6-5, Sterling

Playing most of his minutes at point guard, Bertrand is averaging 14.0 points and 4.3 assists. He finished with 12 points and eight assists in an overtime win over Geneseo on Friday. He combines point guard skills with perimeter scoring ability.

Brandon Paul Jr., G, 6-3, Gurnee Warren

The shooting guard is averaging 19 points and seven rebounds with 38 steals and 23 blocks, all team-high totals. He scored 32 points in a 71-63 loss at Stevenson Thursday.

D.J. Richardson Jr., G, 6-3, Peoria Central

His 18.3-point average and 84.4-percent mark from the free-throw line both lead the Mid-State 6 Conference. He scored 31 in a loss to Niles Notre Dame last week. Some observers think he'll be groomed as a point guard.

Crandall Head, So, G, 6-4, Richton Park Rich South

He scored 18 points in a win at Rich East Friday. The athletic guard averages 16.9 points and 10.5 rebounds for a team that lacks a big man. His 34-point game in a shootout at the Hall in December was the day's highlight.

Jereme Richmond, So., F, 6-6, Waukegan

Averaging 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds, Richmond put up 18 points and 17 rebounds in a victory at Rockford Auburn last weekend. With a size 17 shoe and broad shoulders, he could grow into a giant.

Noteworthy: Illinois leads the all-time series 124-34 with a 61-13 advantage in games played in Champaign. Illinois has an eight-game winning streak against the Wildcats, and the Illini have won the last six games against Northwestern in Assembly Hall. ... This is the only regular-season meeting between the two teams. ... Illinois senior center Shaun Pruitt's status will be announced today. Pruitt was indefinitely suspended before the game at Ohio State on Wednesday. He is practicing with the team. ... Moore scored 28 points in a 78-62 loss to visiting Michigan State on Thursday. ... Coble missed the first nine games while remaining home with his mother, who is battling cancer.

Key for Illini: Don't let Pruitt's status become a distraction. The Illini played well in the second half at Ohio State without the senior center.

Key for Wildcats: Play some defense. Northwestern ranks 10th in the league in scoring defense at 67.7 points per game.

Key quote: "They've gone small at times, literally playing five perimeter guys. That's puts you in a bind. You have to be very disciplined defensively.'' -- Illinois coach Bruce Weber.

Prediction: Illinois 71, Northwestern 58

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